Drinking glass, toast dramatization system, drinking dramatization system, program, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

A drinking glass (1) includes: a glass body (10) being a bottomed cylinder having a top opening (11); a storage part (20) extending from the side face or bottom part, toward the interior side, of the glass body and used for storing a mobile communication device (100); and a waveguide (30) extending from the side face, toward the interior side, of the glass body and used for letting the radio waves to/from the mobile communication device pass through. The radio waves from the mobile communication device can be taken out of the glass body through the waveguide. An individual can enjoy oneself together with not only others nearby, but also others in remote locations, through many different ways of dramatization such as playing sound and image from the mobile communication device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a drinking glass, a toast dramatization system, a drinking dramatization system, a program, and a recording medium, all designed to let an individual enjoy oneself alone or together with others in remote locations, and also to present many different dramatizing effects.

BACKGROUND ART

At parties, receptions and other events, oftentimes the participants toast by clinking their glasses containing drinks, to share joys with one another.

In the past, glasses have been developed that offer various functions in addition to containing drinks.

For example, Patent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose an art of using a sensor to detect that a glass has been raised, and then outputting various sounds from a speaker provided at the bottom of the glass.

Patent Literature 3 discloses an art, pertaining to a glass equipped with a means for detecting its tilt angle, of producing voices according to the tilt angle of the glass.

Patent Literature 4 discloses an art of placing a light-emitting piece in an intermediate layer between the interior wall and the exterior wall of a glass, with the light-emitting piece emitting light when the glass is shaken.

Patent Literatures 5 and 6 disclose an art of placing a display device on the surface of a glass and allowing the image displayed on the display device to be changed manually or according to the output of a motion sensor that detects the state of the glass.

Patent Literature 7 discloses an art of placing a display device on the surface of a glass, while placing a control module and connection terminal in a space at the bottom of the glass. By hardwiring it to an external computer via the connection terminal, the control module can download multiple types of image data and display them on the display device.

BACKGROUND ART LITERATURE Patent Literature

-   [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. Sho     62-92769 -   [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 3-45213 -   [Patent Literature 3] Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. Hei     1-81970 -   [Patent Literature 4] Japanese Utility Model Registration No.     3086140 -   [Patent Literature 5] Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-99159 -   [Patent Literature 6] U.S. Patent Laid-open No. 2008/0100469 -   [Patent Literature 7] U.S. patent Ser. No. 08/550,288

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, Patent Literatures 1 to 6 mentioned above involve outputting voices, images, etc., that have been pre-recorded in a memory, etc., or causing a light-emitting piece to emit light, which presents a problem of lack of variations in, and limitations of, dramatizing effects.

Patent Literature 7 requires hardwire connection with an external computer via the connection terminals, which presents a problem of cumbersome operations, as well as a problem of malfunction if the connection terminals get wet.

Also, Patent Literatures 1 to 7 cater to the enjoyment of only the people in the sole space where the glass is placed, which presents a problem that they cannot share their joy with others in remote locations.

In light of the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a drinking glass, a toast dramatization system, a drinking dramatization system, a program, and a recording medium, all designed to let an individual enjoy oneself alone or together with others in remote locations, and also to present many different dramatizing effects.

Means for Solving the Problems

The drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized by comprising: a glass body being a bottomed cylinder having a top opening; a storage part extending from the side face or bottom part, toward the interior side, of the glass body and used for storing a mobile communication device; and a waveguide extending from the side face, toward the interior side, of the glass body and used for letting the radio waves pass through to/from the mobile communication device; wherein the waveguide is such that, by being surrounded by a drink, it manifests a waveguide function of letting radio waves pass through the interior thereof.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has, in at least a part of the glass body, a transparent part having transparency, wherein the display part of the mobile communication device when being stored in the storage part can be viewed through the side face of the glass body via the transparent part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the storage part has a lid.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a spacer to be inserted in the storage part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the storage part and the waveguide are spatially connected.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the interior face of the waveguide is covered with a metal.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a handle.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a lid for closing off the top opening.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has an operating space that extends from the side face, toward the interior side, of the glass body and spatially connects to the storage part, and the user physically contacts and operates the operation part of the mobile communication device through the operating space.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has an operation button for operating the mobile communication device, and an earphone for listening to voices from the mobile communication device, and the operation button and earphone are hardwired or wirelessly connected to the mobile communication device as stored in the storage part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has an acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration at which the glass body moves.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the acceleration sensor is an acceleration sensor built into the mobile communication device.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a piezoelectric sensor on the side face of the glass body.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that: the mobile communication device comprises an image display part that displays image, a wireless communication part with an antenna, a voice output part that outputs voice, and a control part that controls the driving of the foregoing; the waveguide extends from a side opening formed in the side face of the glass body to near the wireless communication part; a dielectric substance is filled in at least a part of the interior of the waveguide; and a transparent part is provided for allowing the images displayed on the image display part to be viewed from the exterior.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the mobile communication device is formed with the image display part, the wireless communication part, the voice output part, and the control part stored in a single enclosure.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the shape of the side opening is a polygon, and the length of the longest side, among the sides constituting the polygon, is longer than one-half the wavelength of the radio waves.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the dielectric substance is solid.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a radio-wave receiving power measurement part for measuring the receiving power of radio waves at the wireless communication part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the control part receives the output signals from the radio-wave receiving power measurement part and detects at least one of: the presence or absence, position, size, and conductivity, of a conductor inside the waveguide.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the control part receives the output signals from the radio-wave receiving power measurement part and changes the image on the image display part and/or voice from the voice output part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the control part receives the output signals from the radio-wave receiving power measurement part and switches the on/off of the image display part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the periphery of the waveguide is covered with a metal layer.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a GPS signal reception part for receiving GPS signals.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a sensor for detecting the state of the glass body or state of the surroundings of the glass body, and the control part receives the detection signals transmitted by the sensor and transmits output signals to the exterior via the wireless communication part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the sensor is a sound sensor for detecting sounds around the glass body.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the sensor is a camera sensor for capturing the surroundings of the glass body.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that an ID code label on which the coded identification information of the glass body has been recorded, is attached on the transparent part, and the camera sensor captures the ID code label.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the sensor is an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the glass body.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has an oscillator, and the control part vibrates the oscillator when transmitting the output signals to the exterior via the wireless communication part.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has strings around the side opening, and when the strings vibrate, the generated sounds reverberate inside the waveguide and the sound waves of the reverberating sounds propagate to the air and/or liquid inside the glass body via the waveguide, thereby generating reverberating sounds also from the interior of the glass body.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a sound data analysis part for performing frequency spectrum analysis of sounds generated by the strings through vibrations.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the control part receives output signals relating to the frequency spectrum analysis from the sound data analysis part and changes the image on the image display part and/or voice from the voice output part based on the output signals.

Also, the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has a lid for opening and closing the top opening.

The toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is a toast dramatization system comprising two or more drinking glasses—each identical to the aforementioned drinking glass—characterized in that sound and/or images will be played, when the drinking glasses contact each other, by the mobile communication devices stored in the drinking glasses that have made contact.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, the voice and/or image currently played by the mobile communication devices changes.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, the mobile communication devices vibrate.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that a contact between the drinking glasses is detected by acceleration sensors or piezoelectric sensors provided in the drinking glasses, or acceleration sensors built into the mobile communication devices.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, a contact signal indicating contact is transmitted to other drinking glass, via a communication line, from the drinking glasses that have made contact, so that voice and/or image will also be played by the mobile communication device of the other drinking glass that has received the contact signal.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, a contact signal indicating contact is transmitted to other drinking glass, via a communication line, from the drinking glasses that have made contact, so that the voice and/or image from the mobile communication device, currently played by the other drinking glass that has received the contact signal, will change.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, a contact signal indicating contact is transmitted to other drinking glass, via a communication line, from the drinking glasses that have made contact, so that the mobile communication device of the other drinking glass that has received the contact signal, will vibrate.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, cameras built into the mobile communication devices of the drinking glasses that have made contact capture the surrounding scenes and transmit them as captured data to other drinking glass via a communication line, so that the captured images will be played by the mobile communication device of the other drinking glass that has received the captured data.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the tilt level of the drinking glass is detected by an acceleration sensor provided in the drinking glass or an acceleration sensor built into the mobile communication device.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the voice and/or image played by the mobile communication device changes according to the tilt level of the drinking glass.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that, when the drinking glass is tilted, a tilt signal indicating tilt is transmitted to other drinking glass, via a communication line, from the drinking glass that has tilted, so that the voice and/or image currently played by the mobile communication device of the other drinking glass that has received the tilt signal, will change.

Also, the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the contact signal is transmitted to a server via a communication line, and the server records the number of times a contact signal has been received, as the number of toasts.

The drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has the aforementioned drinking glass, and it receives, via the wireless communication part, image data and/or voice data transmitted from an external server, and outputs it as image content to the image display part and/or as voice content to the voice output part.

Also, the drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has the aforementioned drinking glass, and the image data and/or voice data transmitted from the external server is data obtained by utilizing the camera sensor.

Also, the drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has the aforementioned drinking glass; the control part obtains position coordinate information based on a GPS signal received by the GPS signal reception part, and transmits an output signal to an external server via the wireless communication part; the external server transmits to the control part, via the wireless communication part, data relating to the food and drink menu and/or event offered by the restaurant at the address corresponding to the position coordinate information; and the control part outputs it as image content to the image display part and/or as voice content to the voice output part.

Also, the drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that it has the aforementioned drinking glass; the control part is such that, when a drink is filled in the glass body, the sensor transmits an output signal to an external computer via the wireless communication part; the external computer, upon receiving the output signal, transmits prescribed image data to an external image display device; and the control part outputs it as image content to the image display part.

Also, the drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the sensor is an acceleration sensor; the control part, when the acceleration sensor detects an acceleration equal to or greater than a set value, determines that a toast has been made and transmits an output signal to an external computer via the wireless communication part; the external computer, upon receiving the output signal, generates prescribed image data and transmits it to the external image display device; and the external image display device displays the image data as image content.

Also, the drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the image content relates to a character having at least eyes and a mouth, and the user can make a virtual toast with the character displayed on the external image display device.

Also, the drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the sensor is an acceleration sensor; the control part, when the acceleration sensor detects a prescribed acceleration, determines that the glass body has tilted and transmits an output signal to an external computer via the wireless communication part; the external computer, upon receiving the output signal, generates prescribed image data and transmits it to the external image display device; and the external image display device displays the image data as image content.

Also, the drinking dramatization system proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the image content relates to a character having at least eyes and a mouth, and the user can enjoy a virtual experience of drinking with the character displayed on the external image display device.

The program proposed by the present invention is a program used for the aforementioned drinking dramatization system, characterized in that it includes: STEP 1 in which the control part, when the acceleration sensor detects an acceleration equal to or greater than a set value, determines that a toast has been made and transmits an output signal to an external computer via the wireless communication part; STEP 2 in which the external computer, upon receiving the output signal, generates prescribed image data; and STEP 3 in which the external computer transmits the image data to the external image display device.

Also, the program proposed by the present invention is a program used for the aforementioned drinking dramatization system, characterized in that it includes: STEP 1 in which the control part, when the acceleration sensor detects a prescribed acceleration, determines that the glass has tilted and transmits an output signal to an external computer via the wireless communication part; STEP 2 in which the external computer, upon receiving the output signal, generates prescribed image data; and STEP 3 in which the external computer transmits the image data to the external image display device.

The recording medium proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the aforementioned program is recorded thereon.

Effects of the Invention

Skin depth is an indicator of the level of attenuation of the amplitude (strength) of a radio wave as determined by solving a wave motion equation derived from Maxwell's equation of electromagnetism, and represents a distance in which an electromagnetic field (radio wave) incident to a material attenuates to a strength of 1/e (≈1/2.718≈37[%]) (e is a natural logarithm).

Assuming that a radio wave with a frequency of 1 [GHz] is made incident to sea water, which is a representative example of liquid; in this case, a skin depth of 7.9 [mm] is obtained. This means that the distance in which the amplitude (strength) of the radio wave incident to sea water attenuates to 1/e (≈37[%]) is 7.9 [mm], and that, when a radio wave of 1 [GHz] (frequency ranges currently used by mobile phones in Japan are approx. 800 [MHz] to 3 [GHz]) is made incident to sea water in a glass cup, for example, it will attenuate to 37[%] or less before making its way by no more than 1 [cm] from the surface of the cup. (In reality, it will attenuate more because of attenuations not only due to the sea water, but also due to the glass cup, etc. Also, with sea water taken from waters with high concentrations of impurities and salt, the levels may far exceed the aforementioned sea water attenuation because of these impurities.) Other liquids, such as thick juices as well as cocktails and other alcoholic drinks made therewith, may contain more impurities than sea water, in which case they will naturally cause greater attenuations compared to sea water.

Also, the higher the frequency of a radio wave, the shorter its skin depth becomes. In recent years, frequencies of 1 [GHz] to 3 [GHz] or even higher are used by high-speed packet communication services, etc., for mobile phones and other mobile communication terminals; however, radio waves of these frequencies as well as 2.4 [GHz], 5 [GHz] (IEEE 802.11n), 60 [GHz] (IEEE 802.11ad) and other Wi-Fi wireless LANs, etc., are subject to much greater attenuations than those of a frequency of 1 [GHz].

As described above, city water, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and other liquids containing impurities have a property of blocking radio waves, unlike air.

What this means is that, when a drink is poured in the glass body while the mobile communication device is stored in the storage part, radio waves from the mobile communication device will be blocked by the drink and thus communication cannot be established.

According to the present invention, which comprises the waveguide extending from the side face, toward the interior side, of the glass body, radio waves from the mobile communication device can be taken out of the glass body via the waveguide, while radio waves from the exterior can also be received by the mobile communication device via the waveguide.

Since the space in the waveguide also functions as a type of horn, it is easy to listen to the sounds (music, call voice, ringtone, etc.) from the mobile communication device as stored in the storage part.

Also, while mobile communication devices of late years carry high-speed CPUs and thus generate heat when games and other applications of heavy processing loads are run, the present invention allows the mobile communication device to be cooled by water-cooling effect and the CPU to operate in a stable manner as a result, because the surroundings of the storage part are filled with a drink.

With the drinking glass and toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention, an individual can enjoy oneself together with not only others nearby, but also others in remote locations, through many different ways of dramatization such as playing sound and image from the mobile communication device stored in the glass body, generating vibrations, and changing sound and image, at a timing of toast.

The image displayed on the display part of the mobile communication device can be viewed through the drink and transparent part. Depending on the color of the drink poured in the glass body, unique dramatizing effects can also be expected. For example, images with amber hue can be enjoyed when amber-colored whisky is poured.

By using a lid or spacer, the mobile communication device can be easily fixed in the storage part.

Spatially connecting the storage part and the waveguide prevents radio waves from being blocked by the drink, which means that radio waves will not attenuate due to a liquid, and consequently the receiving and transmitting capabilities can be enhanced.

Also, covering the interior face of the waveguide with a metal can cause radio waves to reflect on the metal surface, thereby reducing the radio wave components to be absorbed in a liquid and thus attenuated. As a result, radio waves can be transmitted efficiently in the direction of the antenna of the mobile communication device.

Under the present invention, the size of the glass body is larger because the mobile communication device is stored in the storage part. Accordingly, it is preferable that a handle is provided.

Allowing the top opening of the glass body to be closed off with the lid obtains a drinking bottle that functions as a mobile communication device holder.

Providing the operating space that connects spatially to the storage part enables the user to operate the operation part (touch panel or button) of the mobile communication device, for greater convenience.

Hardwiring or wirelessly connecting the operation button and earphone with the mobile communication device allows an incoming call to be answered with the mobile communication device still stored in the storage part.

Installing the acceleration sensor in the glass body allows for detection of the timing at which the drinking glass has contacted other drinking glass, or measurement of the tilt level of the drinking glass, when a toast is made.

Using, as the acceleration sensor, a type built into the mobile communication device allows for cost reduction and improvement of how the drinking glass looks.

Also, installing the piezoelectric element on the side face of each of the glass bodies so that the piezoelectric elements will contact each other, allows for detection of a timing of toast.

Capturing an image with the built-in camera of the mobile communication device at a timing of toast and then transmitting the captured image data to other mobile communication devices allows for viewing of the scenes of the surroundings when a toast is made.

Also, recording the number of times the server received a contact signal, as the number of toasts, enables the venues of a party held simultaneously around the world to compete for the highest number of toasts, or the toast count to be revealed to the world in real time, or the sound and image played by the mobile communication device to be changed according to the count, for example.

When a liquid is poured in the glass body while the mobile communication device—which is a communication device equipped with an image display part and a voice output part capable of outputting image content and voice content, respectively, or specifically a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, tablet terminal, etc.—is stored in the storage part, the periphery of the storage part is entirely or partially covered with the liquid, and therefore the liquid serves as a shielding material. As a result, problems will arise such as loss of communication function that utilizes radio waves from the wireless communication part, disabled communication of image data, voice data, etc., and significant lowering of baud rate [bps].

The drinking glass proposed by the present invention has the waveguide extending from the side opening formed in the side face of the glass body, to near the wireless communication part of the mobile communication device as stored in the storage part. Radio waves output from the exterior of the drinking glass travel through the interior of the waveguide, from the side opening, to reach the wireless communication part, even when a liquid is filled in the glass body. This is based on the basic law of physics that “electromagnetic energy transmits in a direction in which energy transmission is facilitated.” Since radio waves are more resistant to attenuation and transmit more easily in air than in a drink, surrounding the periphery of the waveguide with a drink causes radio waves to transmit in air (interior of the waveguide); as a result, directionality can be added to the radio waves, or to put it differently, the waveguide can demonstrate waveguide function.

This means that, even when the glass body is filled with a drink, the wireless communication part of the mobile communication device in the storage part can receive image data and voice data for dramatization from the exterior, and the image content and voice content can be output at the image display part and the voice output part.

Also, data output from the mobile communication device in the storage part, such as voice data, image data, and various other data detected by sound sensors, camera sensors, or various other sensors, can be transmitted to the exterior via the waveguide. The various data transmitted to the exterior can be directly received and played by other drinking glass or a computer, or received and played via an external server connected to the Internet. Use of a server as an intermediary also allows for synchronous playback of image content and voice content between multiple drinking glasses in remote locations.

As described above, one feature of the present invention is that, when the mobile communication device is stored in the storage part and a drink is filled in the glass body, no hardwire cable or externally installed antenna, etc., for amplifying radio waves is required as a means for communicating with the wireless communication part of the mobile communication device, as this is realized only by the waveguide.

With the drinking glass and toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention, an individual can enjoy oneself together with not only others nearby, but also others in remote locations, through many different ways of dramatization such as playing image and voice from the mobile communication device stored in the glass body, generating vibrations, and changing image and sound, at a timing of toast. Furthermore, image and voice data of a deceased person, etc., making a toast can be uploaded to an external server beforehand and, at a timing of toast, this image and voice can be transferred concurrently to the drinking glasses held by friends of the deceased in remote locations and played by the respective image display parts and voice output parts, so that a virtual toasting action by the deceased and his or her friends can be reenacted. In other words, multiple people around the world can simultaneously enjoy a toasting action in memory of the deceased, by transcending time and space.

The image displayed on the display part of the mobile communication device can be viewed through the drink and transparent part. Depending on the color of the drink poured in the glass body, unique dramatizing effects can also be expected. For example, images with amber hue can be enjoyed when amber-colored whisky is poured.

It should be noted that, after the mobile communication device is stored in the storage part, the opening of the storage part can be closed with the lid, or the spacer may be sandwiched between the storage part and the mobile communication device, to fix the mobile communication device in the storage part easily and securely.

In general, a “waveguide tube (or, strictly speaking, hollow waveguide tube used in the millimeter-wave band)” comprises two constitutional elements including: an area filled with a matter that lets radio waves pass through, such as air or any dielectric substance, to serve as a waveguide letting the radio waves inside pass through; and an area constituted by a layer of copper or other metal, to serve as a conductive area surrounding the waveguide and reflecting radio waves.

With the drinking glass proposed by the present invention, a juice or other impurities-containing liquid filled in the glass body is used directly as the conductive area, instead of a metal. To manufacture the waveguide under the present invention, all that is needed is to inwardly concave the glass, acrylic, etc., constituting the side face (exterior wall) of the glass body and extend it to near the wireless communication part of the mobile communication device in the storage part, which makes the manufacturing easy. In the case of a drinking PET bottle, etc., for example, all that is needed is to apply heat from the side face to deform the concave part into shape in the direction of the storage part.

Also, spatially connecting the storage part and the waveguide prevents radio waves from being blocked at all by the drink between the storage part and the waveguide, which means that radio waves will not attenuate due to a liquid, and consequently the receiving and transmitting capabilities can be enhanced.

Also, covering the periphery (inner face and/or outer face) of the waveguide with a metal (or, specifically, constituting this component in exactly the same way as a normal hollow waveguide tube) can cause radio waves to reflect on the metal surface, thereby reducing the radio wave components to be absorbed in a liquid and thus attenuated. As a result, radio waves can be transmitted efficiently in the direction of the antenna of the mobile communication device.

Also, the waveguide under the present invention has a dielectric substance filled in at least a part of its interior. In this case, the dielectric substance includes air or other gas, but a solid dielectric substance may be filled in the interior of the waveguide. By filling the interior of the waveguide with a solid dielectric substance other than air or other gas that lets radio waves pass through, or specifically filling it with glass or acrylic, the strength of the waveguide can be increased, and since the strength of the waveguide can be boosted without having to lower the radio-wave electronic transmission efficiency to any notable degree, a situation where stirring of ice in the glass body causes the ice to hit and damage the waveguide, can be prevented. To prevent dust and other unwanted objects from entering the waveguide from the exterior, the side opening may be covered with a layer of glass or other solid dielectric substance.

A radio-wave receiving power measurement part for measuring the receiving power [dBm] of the radio waves to be received by the wireless communication part through the waveguide, may be provided. In this case, the control part can receive the degree to which the receiving power attenuates when a metal spoon or finger (the human body is generally considered a conductor) is inserted into the waveguide, to detect the insertion. (Physically speaking, covering the entire interior of the waveguide with a metal makes the receiving power infinitely small to the point where reception is no longer possible.) By utilizing the foregoing as a type of non-contact sensor, the user can, for example, wake up the image display part of the mobile communication device or turn on its power by simply inserting a metal spoon or fork into the waveguide, or use such insertion as an operation trigger to change the image content currently displayed on the image display part, without ever touching the cup or making it dirty. Furthermore, combining this with other sensor provided by the mobile communication device, such as an acceleration sensor, etc., allows for highly accurate discrimination of vibrations associated with a toasting action, compared to when the acceleration sensor alone is used.

Also, normally smartphones and other mobile communication devices are designed to monitor the receiving power [dBm] of radio waves directly, or indirectly using the baud rate [bps]. (With smartphones, the receiving power of radio waves is often expressed visually based on the number of antenna bars.) Accordingly, installing in these smartphones an application that programmatically obtains internal smartphone values allows a non-contact sensor to be constituted with the waveguide alone, without having to use any other sensor device or electronic device.

Also, strings may be provided around the side opening. In this case, the drinking glass can also be utilized as a musical instrument. Since the tones change according to the quantity of the drink surrounding the waveguide, or presence or absence of any drink, dramatization is possible that involves changing the tones by adjusting the quantity of any such drink.

Also, providing a sound data analysis part for performing frequency spectrum analysis of sounds generated by the strings through vibrations permits discriminating, through frequency spectrum analysis, which of the multiple strings was plucked by the user. This, in turn, permits things like changing the image content or voice content according to the analysis result, or utilizing the analysis result as a sensor input value. Also, the tone data can be transferred to remote locations to let the friends in the remote locations listen to it in real time.

Also, a GPS signal reception part for receiving GPS signals may be provided. Commonly available smartphones often come with a GPS signal reception part. In this case, GPS signals can be sent via the waveguide from a server that provides a geocoding API capable of referencing addresses based on GPS coordinates, to a server that, strictly speaking, provides a reverse-geocoding API, to allow the mobile communication device to obtain and display as image content, real-time image data relating to various types of information, such as the address of the location of the drinking glass, interior view of the restaurant, food and drink menus, event, as well as recommended drink and food items, services, etc., provided at nearby restaurants, etc. Similarly, voice data provided in real-time at the location of the drinking glass or nearby, or specifically data of the latest song by a composer, musician, etc., who happens to be near the address, can be obtained and output as voice content. For example, the aforementioned image content or voice content can be output to the mobile communication device upon detection of a toasting action by the acceleration sensor or microphone in the mobile communication device, to enable dramatization appropriate for the area, address and restaurant where the drinking glass is located.

Also, an ID code label recording the coded identification information of the glass body may be attached to the transparent part, so that the ID code label will be captured by a camera sensor. In this case, a mechanism can be provided whereby the control part, upon receiving an output signal of the camera sensor, determines that not much drink is left in the drinking glass and instructs a waiter to urge the user to order another drink.

Providing a lid that opens and closes the top opening of the glass body allows the drinking glass to function as a bottle.

It may be such that, upon detection of a toasting action by the acceleration sensor, the control part transmits the output signal of the acceleration sensor to an external computer to generate prescribed image data. In this case, image data relating to a character with eyes and a mouth, for example, can be generated and this image content can be displayed on a projector or other large image display device (external image display device) placed before the very eyes of the user. The user can talk or make a virtual toast with the character. Also, the character may be displayed on the image display part of the drinking glass held by the user.

Since character generation takes place via a link with an external server computer through the waveguide, CG characters can be generated using advance 3DCG, which is not possible with any computer or IC of a size that can fit the drinking glass, and also because CG generation does not put high loads on the CPU of the computer in the drinking glass, there is no consequent rise in the drink temperature.

It should be noted that a toasting action may be detected using a microphone, camera, infrared sensor, piezo sensor or any other known sensor, instead of an acceleration sensor.

By analyzing a sensor-detected toasting action in combination with the value of the receiving power [dBm] of radio waves at the wireless communication part as provided by the aforementioned radio-wave receiving power measurement part, a false detection of toasting action can be prevented. To be specific, the radio-wave receiving power measurement part constantly monitors the receiving power [dBm] of radio waves, and only when a drop by a set value or more is detected in the receiving power [dBm] as a result of the user inserting a conductor such as a finger, metal spoon, etc., into the waveguide, the sensor is turned on to run for a set period of time following the detection. This way, the sensor can be run by the user's own operations at necessary timings, which prevents the sensor from detecting (falsely detecting) ambient sound, vibration, and other noises at unnecessary timings. Also, power is no longer needed to constantly run the sensor, which saves energy.

Also, an oscillator may be provided, with the oscillator caused to vibrate when the control part transmits an output signal to the exterior via the wireless communication part. This way, the user can tell, from the vibration of the oscillator, that an output signal has been transmitted to the exterior from the control part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Perspective views (a) and (b) showing the drinking glass in the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 A block diagram showing the constitution of a drinking glass/toast dramatization system.

FIG. 3 A drawing showing a condition where the drinking glasses, etc., are connected to a communication line.

FIG. 4 A perspective view showing other constitutional example of the glass body.

FIG. 5 Perspective views (a) and (b) showing a bottle-type drinking glass.

FIG. 6 Perspective views (a), (b), and a bottom view (c), showing a drinking glass with a groove.

FIG. 7 A perspective view showing a drinking glass with an operation button and an earphone.

FIG. 8 A perspective view showing a drinking glass with an operating space.

FIG. 9 A perspective view showing other constitutional example of the storage part.

FIG. 10 A perspective view showing a drinking glass with a coaster.

FIG. 11 A perspective view showing a drinking glass with a spacer.

FIG. 12 A perspective view showing a constitution where the waveguide and the storage part are spatially connected.

FIG. 13 A perspective view showing a condition where the interior face of the waveguide is covered with a metal.

FIG. 14 Perspective views (a) and (b) showing the drinking glass in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 A perspective view showing other constitutional example of the acceleration sensor.

FIG. 16 Perspective views (a) and (b) showing a drinking glass with a piezoelectric sensor.

FIG. 17 Perspective views (a) and (b) showing a condition of measuring the tilt level of the drinking glass using the acceleration sensor.

FIG. 18 Drawings (a) and (b) showing the constitution of the toast dramatization system in the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 A drawing showing a condition of measuring the tilt level of the drinking glass using the acceleration sensor.

FIG. 20 A drawing showing a condition of playing sound and/or music on a personal computer.

FIG. 21 A drawing showing the constitution of the toast dramatization system in the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 A drawing showing the constitution of the toast dramatization system in the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 Perspective views (a) and (b) showing the drinking glass in the third embodiment.

FIG. 24 A block diagram showing the internal system constitution of a drinking glass.

FIG. 25 A drawing showing a condition where the drinking glasses, etc., are connected to a communication line.

FIG. 26 A perspective view showing other constitutional example of the glass body.

FIG. 27 Perspective views (a) and (b) showing a bottle-type drinking glass.

FIG. 28 Constitutional examples (a) to (c) of the storage part.

FIG. 29 Glass cross-sectional views (a) and (b) showing the difference in radio waves between glasses according to the present invention with and without a waveguide.

FIG. 30 Glass cross-sectional views (a) and (b) showing the difference in radio waves between glasses according to the present invention with and without a metal layer on the waveguide.

FIG. 31 An explanation of electrical conductivity (conductivity) and skin depth, as well as a calculation example of the attenuation distance of a radio wave in a liquid.

FIG. 32 A calculation example of the size of the aforementioned columnar-shaped guide space.

FIG. 33 Examples of drinking glasses (a) and (b) utilizing the value of receiving strength of radio waves as a non-contact detection sensor for sensing a conductor that has entered the guide space.

FIG. 34 Examples of drinking glasses (a) and (b) utilizing the value of receiving strength of radio waves as a non-contact detection sensor for sensing a conductor that has entered the guide space.

FIG. 35 An example of receiving GPS satellite radio waves.

FIG. 36 A transfer example of an image captured by a mobile phone with a camera.

FIG. 37 Examples (a) and (b) of strings that produce sounds of specific frequencies, stretched over waveguides.

FIG. 38 A block diagram showing the internal system constitution of a drinking glass.

FIG. 39 A block diagram of internal processing flow of the sound data analysis part.

FIG. 40 A drawing of a glass with an oscillator.

FIG. 41 A drawing of a glass with a transparent barcode sticker.

FIG. 42 An example of a system for synchronizing image content and sound content.

FIG. 43 A block diagram of internal processing flow of a content synchronizing system for drinking glasses.

FIG. 44 A block diagram of internal processing flow of a restaurant information content acquisition system for drinking glasses.

FIG. 45 A constitution drawing of a CG-character-based interactive system using this glass.

FIG. 46 A block diagram of internal processing flow of a CG-character-based interactive system using this glass.

FIG. 47 An example of flowchart of a CG-character-based interactive system using this glass.

FIG. 48 An example of flowchart of a CG-character-based interactive system using this glass.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment of Drinking Glass

The first embodiment of the drinking glass proposed by the present invention is described below using drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the drinking glass 1 is roughly constituted by a glass body 10, a storage part 20, and a waveguide 30. It should be noted that FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are referenced commonly in each of the embodiments.

The glass body 10 is a bottomed cylinder having a top opening 11. The material for the glass body 10 may be glass, resin, ceramic, porcelain, etc., just like for general glasses.

In this embodiment, the glass body 10 has, over its entirety, a transparent part 12 having transparency. Leaving detailed explanation to a later section, the user can view, from the side face of the glass body 10 through the transparent part 12, the display part 101 of a mobile communication device 100 as stored in the storage part 20.

Mobile communication device 100 is a general term for devices that permit exchange of sound and image data (radio waves) among multiple such devices via a communication line A, such as mobile phones and smartphones, for example. It should be noted that the communication line A may be the Internet or other network, or a telephone line.

In this embodiment, the entire glass body 10 is formed by glass or other material having transparency so that the entire glass body 10 represents the transparent part 12; as shown in FIG. 4, however, the transparent part 12 may be provided only in a part of the glass body 10. It should be noted that, if the glass body 10 has no transparent part 12, the user can only listen to the sounds played by the mobile communication device 100.

The shape of the glass body 10 may be a so-called mug type with a handle 13 as shown in FIG. 1, or a bottle type having a lid 14 for closing off the top opening 11 as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and (b).

Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and (b), a groove 15 may be provided at the bottom part of the glass body 10 so that a charge cable for the mobile communication device 100, an earphone cable 102, etc., can be guided through the groove 15. Providing the groove 15 allows the glass body 10 to be placed stably on a table, etc.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, an operation button 103 a for operating the mobile communication device 100, and an earphone 103 b for listening to the voices from the mobile communication device 100, may be provided so that cables 104 for the operation button 103 a and earphone 103 b can be guided through the groove 15 and hardwired to the mobile communication device 100. It should be noted that the operation button 103 a and earphone 103 b may be wirelessly connected to the mobile communication device 100.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, an operating space 16 that extends from the side face, toward the interior side, and spatially connects to the storage part 20, of the glass body 10 may be provided. The user can use his or her own finger, etc., to physically contact and operate an operation part 105 of the mobile communication device 100 through the operating space 16.

The storage part 20 is a space for storing the mobile communication device 100, extending from the side face or bottom part, to the interior side, of the glass body 10. While the storage part 20 extends upward from the bottom part of the glass body 10 in FIG. 1, this is not the only case and, for example, it may extend diagonally upward from the side face of the glass body 10, as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, an effect of easy insertion of the mobile communication device 100 into the storage part 20 with its display part 101 tilted up, an effect of easy viewing of the display part 101 for the user, and an effect of greater visibility of image when the user takes the drink and swallows it, can be obtained. Also, the glass body 10 need not be raised when the mobile communication device 100 is inserted into the storage part 20, which is particularly helpful when the glass body 10 is heavy.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lid 17 for preventing the mobile communication device 100 from dropping out may be provided; or, as shown in FIG. 10, a coaster 18 may be provided which is formed by rubber or other material having elasticity and can be fitted/fixed to the bottom part of the glass body 10.

As shown in FIG. 11, a spacer 19 that can accommodate the dimensions of multiple types of mobile communication devices 100 may be provided. Preferably the material for the spacer 19 is sponge, low-resilience urethane, rubber or other flexible material.

The waveguide 30 is a space for letting the radio waves from the mobile communication device 100 pass through, extending from the side face, toward the interior side, of the glass body 10. Preferably the waveguide 30 extends to near the antenna part of the mobile communication device 100 as stored in the storage part 20 and, as shown in FIG. 12, the waveguide 30 and the storage part 20 may be spatially connected. Radio waves output from the mobile communication device 100 pass through the interior of the waveguide 30 and reach the exterior of the glass body 10, and then reach other mobile communication device 100 via the communication line A. Also, radio waves output from such other mobile communication device 100 travel over the communication line A to enter the glass body 10 from its side face, pass through the interior of the waveguide 30, and reach the mobile communication device 100. As shown in FIG. 13, covering the interior face of the waveguide 30 with a metal 31 causes the radio waves to reflect on the surface of the metal 31, which allows for enhancement of the function of the waveguide 30 as a waveguide tube.

Radio waves may be not only of the frequencies in 800 [MHz] to 2 [GHz] ranges that are exclusively used for communication between mobile base stations and mobile communication devices 100, but also in frequency ranges near 2.4 [GHz] used for wireless LANs or 5 [GHz] used for high-speed wireless LANs, etc. The mobile communication device 100 as stored in the storage part 20 can communicate via a base station, via a wireless LAN router, or over the Internet.

Second Embodiment of Drinking Glass

Next, the second embodiment of the drinking glass is explained; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those pertaining to the drinking glass 1 in the aforementioned first embodiment are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

As shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and (b), the drinking glass 2 in this embodiment is characterized in that it has an acceleration sensor 40 for measuring the acceleration at which the glass body 10 moves.

To be specific, the acceleration sensor 40, as well as a drive circuit 41 and a power supply 42 for the acceleration sensor 40, are attached to parts of the glass body 10. The drive circuit 41 continues to receive output signals from the acceleration sensor 40. When the user causes his or her drinking glass 2 to contact other drinking glass 2, the output signal from the acceleration sensor 40 changes rapidly, so the drive circuit 41 transmits this contact signal to the mobile communication device 100 at this timing. Upon receiving the contact signal, a control part 106 of the mobile communication device 100 determines that a toast has been made, and instructs a speaker 109 and the display part 101 to play the prescribed sound and/or image.

It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 15, an acceleration sensor 107 built into the mobile communication device 100 may be used. In this case, programming is necessary to play the prescribed sound and/or image when the output signal from the acceleration sensor 107 changes rapidly.

Or, as shown in FIGS. 16 (a) and (b), a piezoelectric element 43 may be provided instead of the acceleration sensors 40, 107. In this case, all that is needed is to transmit the aforementioned contact signal to the mobile communication device 100 based on the voltage change that occurs as a result of contact between the piezoelectric elements 43. By using the piezoelectric elements 43, the detection accuracy of toast timing can be improved compared to when the acceleration sensor 40 is used. For the piezoelectric element 43, preferably one which is as thin as possible, such as a film type (commonly known: piezo-film sensor, etc.), is used so as not to disturb the sensation, or the exhilarating feel of the user, when toasting.

Upon contact between the drinking glasses 2, not only sound and/or image may be played from the mobile communication device 100, but vibration may also be generated by a vibration device 110 built into the mobile communication device 100. The vibration of the mobile communication device 100 transmits to the user's hand via the glass body 10.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and (b), the acceleration sensor 40 or 107 may be used to measure the tilt level of the glass body 10 so that the prescribed sound and/or image will be played from the mobile communication device 100 when the tilt level becomes equal to or greater than a set value.

First Embodiment of Toast Dramatization System

The following explains the first embodiment of the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 18 (a) and (b), the toast dramatization system 3 in this embodiment comprises two or more drinking glasses 2, each having the aforementioned acceleration sensor 40 or piezoelectric element 43. The acceleration sensor 107 built into the mobile communication device 100 may be utilized.

When two users cause their drinking glasses 2 to contact each other, not only sound and/or image will be played from the mobile communication devices 100 stored in the drinking glasses 2 that have made contact, but a contact signal indicating contact will also be transmitted to other drinking glasses 1, 2 (refer to FIG. 3), via the communication line A, from the drinking glasses 2 that have made contact, and sound and/or image will be played also from the mobile communication devices 100 in such other drinking glasses 1, 2 that have received the contact signal.

Also, the mobile communication device 100 may be vibrated when sound and/or image is played, or the mobile communication device 100 may be vibrated instead of playing sound and/or image. By playing sounds of clinking of drinking glasses 2 from the mobile communication device 100, the realistic sensations can be enhanced further.

The sound and/or image played from the mobile communication devices 100 stored in the two drinking glasses 2 that have made contact, and from the mobile communication devices 100 connected via the communication line A, may be the same or different. Also, the mobile communication device 100 may change, upon receiving a contact signal, the sound and/or image that has been playing until then.

Also, as shown in FIG. 19, the tilt level of the glass body 10 may be measured with the acceleration sensor 40 so that, when the tilt level becomes equal to or greater than a set value, a tilt signal will be transmitted to other drinking glasses 1, 2 via the communication line A to play sound and/or image also from the mobile communication devices 100 of such other drinking glasses 1,2 that have received the tilt signal, or cause them to vibrate.

Also, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the contact signal may be received by a personal computer 200 connected to an Internet line representing the communication line A, so that sound and/or image will also be played on the personal computer 200.

By allowing the tilt level of the glass body 10 to be measured, remote monitoring of whether or not alcohol consumption has occurred also becomes possible. As a result, the real-time traffic and alcohol consumption rates of customers, etc., at bars and other restaurants offering alcoholic drinks can be checked from a remote location.

Second Embodiment of Toast Dramatization System

The following explains the second embodiment of the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those pertaining to the toast dramatization system 3 in the aforementioned first embodiment are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

As shown in FIG. 21, the toast dramatization system 4 in this embodiment is characterized in that, when drinking glasses 2 contact each other, cameras 108 built into the mobile communication devices 100 of the drinking glasses 1 that have made contact capture the surrounding scenes and transmit them as captured data to other drinking glasses 1, 2 via the communication line A, so that the captured images will be played from the mobile communication devices 100 of such other drinking glasses 1, 2 that have received the captured data. Also, the images may be made viewable on the personal computer 200 connected to the communication line A.

Third Embodiment of Toast Dramatization System

The following explains the third embodiment of the toast dramatization system proposed by the present invention; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those pertaining to the toast dramatization systems 3, 4 in the aforementioned embodiments are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

As shown in FIG. 22, the toast dramatization system 5 in this embodiment is characterized in that a contact signal indicating contact between two drinking glasses 2 is transmitted to a server 201 (refer to FIG. 3) via the communication line A, and the server 201 records the number of times a contact signal has been received, as the number of toasts.

Each mobile communication device 100 can obtain and display the number of toasts recorded on the server 201, or display it on the personal computer 200. Also, the sound and/or image played from each mobile communication device 100 may be changed, or the number or amplitude of vibrations may be changed, according to the number of toasts.

Third Embodiment of Drinking Glass

The following describes the third embodiment of the drinking glass proposed by the present invention using drawings.

As shown in FIG. 23 to FIG. 25, the drinking glass 301 is roughly constituted by a glass body 310, a transparent part 312, a storage part 320, and a waveguide 330. A mobile communication device 3100 is stored inside the storage part 320. It should be noted that FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 are referenced commonly in each of the embodiments.

The glass body 310 is a bottomed cylinder having a top opening 311. The material for the glass body 310 may be glass, resin, ceramic, porcelain, etc., just like for general glasses.

The transparent part 312 is provided so that the image displayed on the image display part of the mobile communication device, which will be described below, can be viewed from the exterior. The transparent part 312 in this embodiment has transparency, and is formed over the entire glass body 310. The user U can view, from the side face of the glass body 310 through the transparent part 312, image content 3150 on an image display part 3101 of the mobile communication device 3100 as stored in the storage part 320.

The mobile communication device 3100 comprises an image display part 3101 that displays image, a wireless communication part 3110 that has an antenna 3111, a voice output part 3102 that outputs voice, and a control part 3200 that controls the driving of the foregoing. The mobile communication device 3100 in this embodiment represents a mobile communication device comprising these image display part 3101, wireless communication part 3110, voice output part 3102 and control part 3200, all stored in a single enclosure.

Mobile communication device 3100 is a general term for devices that permit exchange of sound and image data (radio waves) among multiple such devices via the communication line A, such as mobile phones and smartphones, mobile tablet terminals, PDAs, etc., for example. It should be noted that the communication line A may be the Internet or other network, or a telephone line.

The image display part 3101 outputs image content 3150 or other images.

The voice output part 3102 is a so-called speaker for outputting voice content 3151 or other sounds from the mobile communication device 3100, or call sounds.

A microphone 3103 is a voice input device used when calls are made through the mobile communication device 3100.

The control part 3200 is a control computer for the mobile communication device 3100, and has a CPU and a memory and is used for controlling the various data to be output to the image display part 3101 and voice output part 3102, controlling the communication via the wireless communication part 3110, and controlling the microphone 3103 and other sensors, and the like.

A lid 314 is what is used to prevent the mobile communication device 3100 from dropping out. Its material may be rubber, low-resistance urethane, etc.

In this embodiment, the entire glass body 310 is formed by glass or other material having transparency so as to turn the entire glass body 310 into the transparent part 312; as shown in FIG. 26, however, the transparent part 312 may be provided only in a part of the glass body 310. It should be noted that, if the glass body 310 has no transparent part 312, the user U can only listen to the voices output from the mobile communication device 3100.

It should be noted that, with the drinking glass 301 proposed by the present invention, there is no need to use, for the mobile communication device 3100, a mobile communication device comprising the image display part 3101, wireless communication part 3110, voice output part 3102 and control part 3200, all stored in a single enclosure; instead, the image display part 3101, wireless communication part 3110, voice output part 3102 and control part 3200 may each be constituted separately, or any of these may be constituted separately, and respectively stored in the storage part 320.

The shape of the glass body 310 may be, in addition to a so-called mug type having a handle 313 as shown in FIG. 23, a bottle shape having a lid 315 for closing off the top opening 311 as shown in FIGS. 27 (a) and (b).

The storage part 320 is a space for storing the mobile communication device 3100, extending from the side face or bottom part, to the interior side, of the glass body 310. While the storage part 320 extends upward from the bottom part of the glass body 310 in FIG. 23, this is not the only case and, for example, it may extend diagonally upward from the side face of the glass body 310, as shown in FIG. 28 (a). In this case, an effect of easy insertion of the mobile communication device 3100 into the storage part 320 with its image display part 3101 tilted up, an effect of easy viewing of the display part 3101 for the user U, and an effect of greater visibility of image when the user U takes the drink and swallows it, can be obtained.

Also, the storage part 320 need not be placed at the center part of the glass body 310, as shown in FIG. 28 (b); instead, it may be placed near the side face of the glass body 310, as shown in FIG. 28 (c), if the image content 3150 requires no color rendering effect that utilizes the color of the drink in the glass body 310. It should be noted that, in the case of the constitution in FIG. 28 (c), the waveguide 330 must be brought closer to the vicinity of the storage part 320 positioned near the side face of the glass body 310. Particularly when the antenna 3111 is present in the vicinity of the rear face of the mobile communication device 3100 (smartphones of late years may have a sheet-shaped or chip-shaped antenna embedded on the rear face side of the interior), attention should be drawn to the point that the receiving power of radio waves may become very weak or reception may become no longer possible at the wireless communication part 3110.

Normally, radio waves entering a city water, drinking water or other liquid containing impurities attenuate due to the conductivity σ [S/m] of the liquid, and in 1 [GHz] and higher ranges used for mobile phones, high-speed wireless LANs, etc., the skin depth δ [m] drops to the centimeter order or shorter, and consequently the radio waves will mostly attenuate in the vicinity of the entry surface, as shown in FIG. 31, and will scarcely pass through to the interior. (For more details, please refer to technical books on radio wave engineering.) For this reason, Wi-Fi wireless transmission and reception to/from mobile phones is normally disabled in water.

The waveguide 330 comprises a guide space 331 and a conductive area 333, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 29 (b), and extends from a side opening 316 formed on the side face, to near the wireless communication part 3110 in the storage part 320, of the glass body 310.

The mechanism is that the guide space 331 is filled with air or other dielectric substance 332 that lets radio waves pass through, and by surrounding the periphery thereof with the conductive area 333, the radio waves are focused and their directionality strengthened (induced) in the direction of the mobile communication device 3100 (wireless communication part 3110) in the storage part 320.

Radio waves are governed by the basic law of physics that their energy transmits preferentially to locations where energy transmission is facilitated (strictly speaking, this is called the principle of least action); accordingly, radio waves transmit preferentially in the guide space 331 through repeated diffractions, reflections, etc., to avoid the drink in the glass body 310, and guided (increasingly directed) to the mobile communication device 3100 in the storage part 320, thereby allowing the mobile communication device 3100 to communicate with the exterior even when a drink is filled in the glass body 310.

It should be noted that waveguide tubes used in the microwave power transmission, etc., for feeding power to microwaves, antennas, and the like, use a layer of copper, stainless steel or other metal of high conductivity σ [S/m] for their conductive area surrounding a guide space for letting radio waves pass through; as shown in FIG. 29 (b), on the other hand, the present invention utilizes drinking water or other liquid which is filled in the glass body 310 and contains impurities (or, strictly speaking, has conductivity) to attenuate radio waves, for the conductive area, instead of a metal (in other words, the liquid surrounding the guide space 331 serves as the conductive area 333). For this reason, the waveguide 330 is not a waveguide tube in the strict sense in terms of component constitution, but a subspecies thereof which is specially designed for the drinking glass 301 under the present invention and which demonstrates its capability more, in principle, when there are more impurities in the liquid (drink) filled in the drinking glass 301 (or, strictly speaking, when its conductivity is higher), that is, when it is more difficult for the liquid filled in the drinking glass 301 to let radio waves pass through, because the liquid deployed around the guide space 331, instead of a metal, serves as a radio-wave reflection medium to strengthen the directionality of radio waves to the mobile communication device 3100 in the storage part 320.

In the interest of power electric transmission efficiency, preferably the waveguide 330 extends to near the antenna 3111 of the wireless communication part 3110 of the mobile communication device 3100 as stored in the storage part 320, which means that the smaller the value of d shown in FIG. 29 (b), the better. Accordingly, the waveguide 330 (guide space 331) and the storage part 320 may be spatially connected (thereby achieving d=0).

Also, while the transparent glass design is sacrificed, the periphery of the guide space 331 may be covered with a copper or other metal layer 334 with high conductivity σ [S/m] so as to further increase the radio-wave power electric transmission efficiency, as shown in FIG. 30 (b). Because the conductivity of a metal is far higher than that of drinking water, radio waves can be reflected efficiently and this added reflection efficiency strengthens the directionality of radio waves further compared to when the conductive area 333 comprises a liquid alone. It should be noted that the thickness of the metal layer 334 only needs to be in the order of 0.1 [mm], because the radio wave frequencies used for mobile phones and wireless LANs are approx. 0.8 to 1 [GHz] or even higher.

It should be noted that a substance other than air (air is one of the dielectric substances that let radio waves pass through most easily) may present in the guide space 331, as the dielectric substance 332, so long as it is a dielectric substance that lets radio waves pass through. Also, the radio-wave transmission distance in the guide space 331 is limited by the diameter of the glass body 310 and ranges from several centimeters to 10-plus centimeters or so at most, which means that, even if the entire guide space 331 is filled with glass (glass is an excellent dielectric substance that lets radio waves pass through), any effect of the glass on the radio-wave transmission efficiency is too small to be measured in theory and therefore sufficient waveguiding function will be maintained. If dropping of a large amount of ice into the glass body 310 or stirring of ice in the glass body 310 at high speed is envisioned, glass, acrylic or other dielectric substance may be filled in the guide space 331 as the dielectric substance 332 or, in reference to FIG. 29 (b), for example, glass, acrylic or other dielectric substance may be filled in the guide space 331, so that damage that would otherwise result from ice hitting the waveguide 330, can be prevented.

The method for determining the size of the side opening 316 formed in the side face of the glass body 310 is explained. Since the waveguide 330 is basically the same as any normal waveguide tube, except that it utilizes a drink, it is most appropriate to apply an existing method for determining the cross-section size of a waveguide tube. As shown in FIG. 32, when the length of the longest side among the sides that constitute the cross-section (this cross-section is considered identical to the shape of the side opening 316) of the guide space 331 inside the waveguide 330 is given by a [m], and a desired wavelength of radio waves to be transmitted by the waveguide 330 is given by λ [m], then a [m] must always exceed the length of λ/2; otherwise, radio waves of this wavelength λ [m] cannot be transmitted. When this principle is applied to the guide space 331, the size of the cross-section (that is, the side opening 316) of the guide space 331 can be determined.

Specific steps are as follows: assuming that the shape of the columnar cross-section of the guide space 331 is designed as rectangular (equiangular quadrilateral), while the length of the long side of the rectangle is given by a [m] and the length of the short side of the rectangle is given by b [m], as shown in FIG. 32, first a desired frequency [Hz] of radio waves to be passed through the guide space 331 (referred to as waveguide cutoff frequency) is pre-determined, and then the speed of light [m/s] (8th power of 2.998×10 [m/s] or 8th power of 3.0×10 [m/s]) is divided by the aforementioned frequency [Hz] to obtain the wavelength λ [m] of the radio waves, and lastly a [m]=λ/2 and b [m]=a/2 are solved. In an example of calculating, using this method, the size of the columnar cross-section of the guide space 331 when wireless radio waves for a 2.4 [GHz] wireless LAN are to be transmitted, for example, the cross-section size is calculated as a rectangle of approx. 6.2 [cm]×approx. 3.1 [cm], from Formula 4 and Formula 5 in FIG. 32. In reality, however, the theoretical values (or, strictly speaking, approximate values) obtained by the aforementioned method may deviate from the actual values due to the effects of the design shape of the glass body 310, type of drink, etc., and, to be certain, therefore, the length of each side of the cross-section size obtained above should be increased by a length of approx. several millimeters to one centimeter, or by approx. one to three times the skin depth of the drink in the glass body 310, as a margin of error. It should be noted that, even when the columnar cross-section is shaped as a circle, oval, etc., the cross-section size can be basically determined using the values obtained by the same known method as mentioned above, and if necessary, by adding a margin of error. For other cross-section shapes, using mathematical formulas to analytically determine numerical values according to the aforementioned method is difficult, and therefore the cross-section size should be determined by utilizing the aforementioned method with a certain degree of analogy, or obtained by computer-aided numerical analysis using the FDTD (finite-difference time-domain), FEM (finite element method) or other electromagnetic field simulation method. It should be noted that, for details on these electromagnetic field simulation methods, it is advised to refer to technical books on radio wave engineering or electromagnetic field analysis, because they are not directly related to the explanations of the present invention.

Radio waves output from the mobile communication device 3100 pass through the interior of the waveguide 330 and reach the exterior of the glass body 310, and then reach other mobile communication device 3100 via the communication line A. Also, radio waves output from other mobile communication device 3100 travel over the communication line A to enter the glass body 310 from its side face, pass through the interior of the waveguide 330, and reach the mobile communication device 3100.

Radio waves may be not only of the frequencies in 800 [MHz] to 2 [GHz] ranges that are exclusively used for communication between mobile base stations and mobile communication devices 3100, but also in frequency ranges near 2.4 [GHz] used for wireless LANs or 5 [GHz] used for high-speed wireless LANs, etc. The mobile communication device 3100 as stored in the storage part 320 can communicate via a base station, via a wireless LAN router, or over the Internet (communication line A).

Normally, mobile phone terminals, smartphone terminals and PDA tablet terminals have a radio-wave receiving power measurement part 3112 capable of monitoring their receiving power of radio waves, and they also provide a function to visually display the strength/weakness of this value using a computer built into the terminal; for example, oftentimes mobile phones present their reception status visually using an antenna-shaped icon, as shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30. The present invention utilizes this to enable non-contact detection of a human body or metal spoon that has entered the guide space 331.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34, the radio-wave receiving power measurement part 3112 in the mobile communication device 3100 is used as follows: the receiving power of the radio waves received by each mobile communication device 3100 (generally divided by a standard value and denoted in [dBm]; however, [dBmW] and [W] are the correct units in the SI unit system) is monitored using the radio-wave receiving power measurement part 3112 in the applicable mobile communication device 3100, where it suffices to monitor this value to make sure it does not attenuate by a set value or more. This, as described earlier, is based on the principle that, when the glass body 310 is filled with a drink, radio waves will always enter it through the guide space 331 due to the structure of this glass, which means that, when a human finger (hand) 340 (conductor) or metal spoon 341 (conductor) enters the guide space 331, it will become an obstacle that reflects radio waves and therefore the receiving power of the radio waves received by the mobile communication device 3100 will attenuate accordingly.

It should be noted that, because filling the entire guide space 331 with a conductor results, in principle, in a value of virtually 0 [W] or far below—100 [dBm] (that is, reception is no longer possible) for the receiving power of radio waves, the volume or position of the conductor present in the guide space 331 can be predicted to some extent from the attenuation level of the value of receiving power of radio waves. To be specific, assume putting a small metal spoon and a large metal spoon in the guide space 331, for example; in this case, the sizes of the spoons manifest as attenuation levels of the value of receiving power of radio waves, and therefore the largeness or smallness of their volumes can be determined.

Also, consider similarly that a human index finger (conductor) is inserted into the guide space 331; in this case, inserting the finger far into the guide space 331, as opposed to inserting it only to the entrance thereof, causes the palm and top of the hand to also enter the space, and therefore the occupied volume of the parts of the hand that have entered the guide space 331 will increase, which will then manifest as an attenuation level of the value of receiving power of radio waves and, as a result, an approximate position of the finger in the guide space 331 can be discriminated.

Furthermore, a metal such as copper is a better conductor with higher conductivity than the human body, although the specifics vary depending on which part is involved (strictly speaking, the human body is a mixture of conductors and dielectric substances), which means that, when these two, of the same volume, are entered in the guide space 331 to the same position, the attenuation level of the value of receiving power of radio waves will become far greater with the metal, thereby permitting discrimination of whether the object present in the guide space 331 is a human body or metal spoon.

Also, based on the foregoing, the image content 3150 on the image display part 3101 of the mobile communication device 3100 may be changed depending on, for example, whether or not a metal spoon 341 has entered, as shown in FIG. 34. Also, the voice content 3151 from the voice output part (speaker) 3151 may be changed in a similar manner. Also, if energy-saving is desired, the power supplies for the mobile communication device 3100, image display part 3101 and others, such as sensors, may be made switchable between the sleep mode (Sleep) and the active mode (Active).

Many of the mobile phone, smartphone and PDA tablet models of late years have a built-in GPS signal reception part for obtaining their latitude and longitude coordinates. The present invention has a built-in waveguide 330, which means that, even when it is filled with a drink, these radio waves can still be received to obtain its GPS coordinates and address, as well as image content 3150 from the neighborhood of this address.

To be specific, GPS signals are currently operated on radio waves of frequencies in approx. 1.1 [GHz] to 1.6 [GHz] ranges (L1 (1575.42 [MHz]), L2 (1227.60 [MHz]) and L5 (1176.45 [MHz]) are the mainstreams) and, as shown in FIG. 35, a GPS signal radio wave G from a GPS satellite 3204 passes through the guide space 331 and is received by a GPS signal reception part 3106 in the mobile communication device 3100. Then, once this GPS signal radio wave G has been received, the obtained GPS coordinates (real-time longitude and latitude information of the drinking glass as calculated from the GPS signal, to be precise) is transmitted to an external server computer 3202 and the address and neighborhood information content data corresponding to the GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude coordinates) is obtained internally by the server computer 3202, after which this data is output as image content 3150 to the image display part 3101, or as voice content 3151 to the speaker 3102, of the mobile communication device 3100.

Also, a system whereby the drinking glass 301 obtains information data in real time regarding the drinks, food and services offered by the restaurant at the address where it is located, or restaurants in the neighborhood, and then outputs the data as image content 3150 to the interior of the drinking glass 301, can be constructed. (Details will be explained under the sections on systems later.)

Many mobile phones, smartphones and PDA tablet terminals have a built-in camera. Also, mobile phones and smartphones have a built-in microphone for voice input during calls. The drinking glass proposed by the present invention has a built-in waveguide 330, which means that, even when it is filled with a drink, images near the drinking glass captured by such camera, or voice data near the drinking glass acquired by such microphone, can still be transmitted.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 36, an image near the drinking glass can be captured with a camera (camera sensor) 3104 built into the mobile communication device 3100 of the glass body 310, and this image data 3152 is transmitted to other server computer 3202, other mobile communication device 3206, etc., using a wireless LAN (2.4 [GHz], 5 [GHz], etc.), or other wireless packet communication service (0.8 [GHz] to 3 [GHz], etc.) provided by a mobile carrier. Voice data 3153 near the drinking glass, acquired by the microphone 3103, can also be transmitted in a similar manner. Also, as shown in FIG. 36, the system may be such that image data 3152 and voice data 3153 can be transmitted concurrently to the mobile communication devices 3207 in multiple drinking glasses 301 so that image content 3150 and voice content 3151 will be output simultaneously (synchronously) to the display parts 3101 and speakers 3102 of the mobile communication devices 3207 in these drinking glasses 301.

It should be noted that, although they are not directly related to the present invention, specific methods for operating the shutter of the camera 3104 built into the mobile communication device 3100 as stored in the storage part 320, are described. The simplest method is to use the timer function of the built-in camera 3104 to operate the shutter, or use a non-contact sensor utilizing the aforementioned radio-wave receiving power measurement part 3112 and based on a conductor entering the guide space 331, to have the shutter of the built-in camera 3104 operate when a finger enters the guide space 331. Also, because the guide space 331 lets infrared light pass through without problem when air, thin glass (excluding infrared absorption glass), clear acrylic, etc., is used as the dielectric substance 332 inside, another specific method is to operate the shutter of the built-in camera 3104 using infrared light from the exterior through such material. Other than the foregoing, an acceleration sensor 3105 or sound sensor 3103 may be utilized to operate the shutter of the built-in camera 3104.

Fourth Embodiment of Drinking Glass

Next, the fourth embodiment of the drinking glass is explained; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those pertaining to the drinking glass 301 in the aforementioned third embodiment are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

As shown in FIG. 37 (a), the mobile drinking glass in this embodiment is characterized in that the dielectric substance 332 that lets radio waves pass through in the guide space 331 is air, and strings 3120 that produce sounds of specific frequencies when plucked by the user U are tensioned and placed near the portion of the guide space 331 on the exterior side of the glass body 310 (that is, near the side opening 316), so that reverberating sounds based on the sounds of the strings 3120 are generated in the guide space 331 and the sound waves of these reverberating sounds are propagated to the interior of the glass body 310 via the liquid or air around the guide space 331, to further generate reverberating sounds.

This is exactly the same principle found in the practice of covering a musical instrument, such as acoustic guitar, with a chamber for generating reverberating sounds so that the reverberating sounds generating inside the body of the guitar are transmitted further to the reverberation chamber via a liquid or air to cause further reverberations. Specifically, when the guide space 331 is air, one side of the guide space 331 is open and connected to the space exterior to the glass body 310, as shown in FIG. 37 (a), and therefore placing sound-producing strings 3120 near the side opening 316 will make the waveguide 330 structurally identical to a musical instrument, such as acoustic guitar, except that there is no neck part, which means that the side opening 316 will play the role of a sound hole part in an acoustic guitar to allow sounds generated by the sound-producing strings 3120 to be taken into a string sound reverberating space 335 inside, or specifically into the guide space 331, to generate reverberating sounds inside this space. Furthermore, the guide space 331 is connected to a string sound re-reverberating space 336, or specifically the liquid-free space at the top of the space interior to the glass body 310, via the applicable liquid or air, and therefore the sound waves due to the reverberating sounds generated in the string sound reverberating space 335 are propagated to the string sound re-reverberating space 336 via the applicable liquid or air, to be reverberated again in the string sound re-reverberating space 336 to generate re-reverberating sounds 353.

The volume of the string sound re-reverberating space 336 can be easily adjusted by a fluid level 352 in the drinking glass, and because three things—the intensity of a reverberating sound that generates in the string sound re-reverberating space 336, the intensity of a resonating sound that generates in the same space due to the reverberating sound, and the frequency responses—are dependent on the volume of the string sound re-reverberating space 336, they can be changed according to the fluid level 352 in the drinking glass. As a result, this drinking glass functions as a type of string instrument that allows for control, according to the amount of drink, of reverberating sounds of string sounds obtained by two-step reverberation amplifications. As a supplemental note, even when the fluid level 352 in the drinking glass is lowered to the point where the drink no longer covers the periphery of the guide space 331 completely, as shown in FIG. 37 (b), for the purpose of controlling the reverberating sounds, the waveguide function of the waveguide 330 (specifically, function to strengthen the directionality of radio waves in the direction of the mobile communication device 3100) will still partially work, but only in the areas immersed in the drink, due to reflections caused by the drink.

It should be noted that, since the drinking glass cannot realistically ensure a large spatial volume for generating reverberating sounds, unlike the body part of any normal acoustic guitar, it is not suited for applications where low-pitched sounds of low frequencies are produced, which is the case with a normal acoustic guitar; instead, it is suited for playing sounds in higher frequency ranges.

Also, the space where the strings 3120 are placed is inside the string sound reverberating space 335, that is, inside the guide space 331, which means that the user U must inevitably put his or her finger into the guide space 331 in order to pluck (play) the strings 3120. Accordingly, voice content 3151 output to the speaker 3102, and sounds from the plucked strings 3120, can be emitted simultaneously by way of a non-contact sensor function that uses the attenuation level of the receiving strength of radio waves following the entry of the finger 340 (conductor) into the guide space 331. This allows for dramatization based on the sounds of the strings 3120, while using the voice content 3151 as BGM. Also, a musical instrument can be constituted that simultaneously emits four different types of sounds—sounds from the plucked strings 3120, reverberating sounds due to the string sound reverberating space 335, re-reverberating sounds 353 due to the string sound re-reverberating space 336, and voice content 3151—to produce, using the tone adjustment function based on the fluid level, those complex sounds not producible with normal string instruments while reflecting them on voice content 3151.

Also, this embodiment features a sound data analysis part 3113 capable of performing frequency spectrum analysis of voice data for the purpose of analyzing the voice data acquired by the microphone 3103, as shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38, so that the image content 3150 and voice content 3151 are changed based on the result of this analysis.

To be specific, first the frequency spectrum data of strings 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124, 3125 that produce sounds of different frequencies, as shown in FIG. 37 (b), are obtained beforehand by the fast Fourier transform (FET) or other known calculation method based on the sounds near the glass resulting from plucking of the respective strings, as shown in FIG. 39, and the data are saved beforehand in a frequency spectrum database part 3114 as fsDAT3121, fsDAT3122, fsDAT3123, fsDAT3124 and fsDAT3125; next, when a sound signal DATX near the glass, including the aforementioned string sound, is input from the microphone 3103, frequency spectrum data fsDATX of the sound signal DATX is obtained by a frequency spectrum acquisition part 3115 using the same known means mentioned above; next, a frequency spectrum analysis part 3116 compares it against the aforementioned fsDAT3121, fsDAT3122, fsDAT3123, fsDAT3124 and fsDAT3125 to determine which of them is the closest, thereby discriminating which of the strings 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124, 3125 was plucked by the user U and acquiring the analysis result accordingly; next, a content acquisition part 3117 acquires image content 3150 and voice content 3151 corresponding to the analysis result; finally, these data are output to the image display part 3101 and voice output part 3102.

This way, the image content 3150 and voice content 3151 can be changed according to the performance sounds generated by the plucking of the strings. Also, which of the strings 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124, 3125 was plucked by the user U can be discriminated, and the results can be transmitted to the internal computer 3200 or an external computer as a sensor signal. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, which string was plucked by the user U is discriminated by the frequency spectrum analysis part 3116 and this analysis result is used to acquire image content 3150 and voice content 3151; however, the string need not be always discriminated and instead, the corresponding image content 3150 and voice content 3151 may be output only when a sound of a specific frequency has been detected, for example.

It should be noted that the sound data analysis part 3113 may be provided as a software program or dedicated device or IC exterior to the internal computer 3200, as shown in FIG. 38, or it may be provided as an internal software program of the internal computer 3200 and, so long as it is built into the drinking glass, where or how it is built in does not matter.

Fifth Embodiment of Drinking Glass

Next, the fifth embodiment of the drinking glass is explained; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those pertaining to the drinking glass in each of the aforementioned embodiments are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

The drinking glass in this embodiment is characterized in that it has an oscillator 3130 inside the mobile communication device 3100 and the drink in the drinking glass vibrates as a result of the oscillator 3130 vibrating when data is transmitted or received by the wireless communication part 3110.

To be specific, when the wireless communication part 3110 transmits or receives data with a drink filled in the glass body 310, as shown in FIG. 40, the oscillator 3130 will vibrate and this vibration will propagate to the drink in the glass body 310 to cause the entire glass body 310 to vibrate efficiently via the drink.

If the drink is a carbonated drink, the vibration will cause the carbonated drink to generate bubbles, which means that, even when it is noisy (noisy) around the glass body 310, the user U can visually notice the bubbling in the glass body 310 to recognize that data has been received by the mobile communication device 3100 in the drinking glass.

Sixth Embodiment of Drinking Glass

Next, the sixth embodiment of the drinking glass is explained; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those pertaining to the drinking glass in each of the aforementioned embodiments are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

As shown in FIG. 41, the drinking glass in this embodiment is characterized in that an ID code label 337 on which a barcode or 2D code that allows for identification of the glass body 310 has been printed is attached to the transparent part 312 on the surface of the glass, so that the ID code label 337 can be captured by the camera 3104 in the glass body 310 and the captured image data can be transmitted to an external computer from the wireless communication part 3110 via the waveguide 330.

To be specific, the ID code label 337 which is a clear sticker on which a barcode, 2D code, etc., that allows for identification of the glass body 310 has been printed, is attached to the transparent part 312 of the glass body 310, so that the barcode, etc., on the ID code label 337 can be captured by the camera 3104 in the glass body 310 through the transparent part 312 and transmitted to an external personal computer, server, etc.

Preferably the ID code label 337 is clear other than in the area where the barcode, etc., is printed, and if the drink filled in the glass body 310 has a color, then attaching the ID code label 337 at a height h from the bottom face of the glass body 310 beforehand, as shown in FIG. 41, allows for a relative comparison of whether the fluid level of the drink is above or below the height h, by putting the image data from the camera 3104 through RGB image analysis. Also, image data can be wirelessly transferred to a computer in a remote location via the waveguide 330, which means that, by putting the image data through RGB image analysis, the drink quantity can be monitored, together with the ID of the glass body 310, at the remote location.

First Embodiment of Drinking Dramatization System

Next, the first embodiment of the drinking dramatization system using drinking glasses is explained; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those in each of the aforementioned embodiments are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

This system is characterized in that, as shown in FIG. 42, it involves multiple drinking glasses 302 present in physically separated spaces and, with a drink filled in the glass bodies 310, each waveguide 330 is used to allow the same image content 3150 and voice content 3151 to be synchronously output to each image display part 3101 and each voice output part 3102 by means of the wireless communication part 3110 of each mobile communication device 3100.

To be specific, this system allows the user U to transmit beforehand to a personal computer or server computer 3202 in a remote location, desired image content 3150 and voice content 3151 data to be synchronized, so that all that is needed is for these data to be transmitted concurrently from the server computer 3202 to the respective drinking glasses 302 in remote locations and output from the drinking glasses 302 at an arbitrary timing. It should be noted that, here, to control the timing of transmission from the server computer 3202 to the drinking glasses 302 at remote locations, a glass sensor signal detection part 3208 may be provided in the server computer 3202, as shown in FIG. 43, to constantly monitor whether or not a sensor signal 3154 has been input to the server computer 3202 from the acceleration sensor 3105, etc., so that, only when an input of such signal is detected, a concurrent transmission command 3155 will be output by a content data concurrent transmission part 3209 and data for synchronization 3156 will be transmitted concurrently to the drinking glasses 302 at remote locations.

Also, toasting actions can be reenacted beyond place and time using the drinking glasses by simply using, as the desired image content 3150 and voice content 3151 to be synchronized, the images and voices of toasting actions captured at arbitrary times in arbitrary locations around the world. Also, in this regard, an image of toasting action of a deceased person captured when he or she was alive can be used as the image content 3150, so that a toasting action with the deceased can be reenacted, albeit virtually.

Second Embodiment of Drinking Dramatization System

Next, the second embodiment of the drinking dramatization system is explained; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those in the aforementioned embodiments are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

This system is one using a drinking glass with a GPS signal reception part, characterized in that image data of a drink, food or event offered at the restaurant corresponding to the address, building name or area thereof that matches the GPS coordinates calculated using the radio wave G of the GPS signal received by the drinking glass, is acquired from the server computer 3202 in a remote location and displayed on the image display part 3101 as image content 3150, and similarly data of music played at the restaurant at the address is acquired from the server computer 3202 and output from the voice output part (speaker) 3102 as voice content 3151.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 44, first, in STEP 1, the radio wave G of a GPS signal 3157 is received by a GPS signal reception part 3106; next, in STEP 2, real-time GPS coordinates 3158, including longitude and latitude information, of the drinking glass obtained from a GPS signal 3157 are transmitted to the external server computer 3202; next, in STEP 3, address data 3159 is acquired by an address acquisition part 3210 in the server computer 3202 using the aforementioned GPS coordinates 3158 as a search key (English: reverse geocoding); next, in STEP4, the aforementioned address data 3159 is used as a search key to acquire, at the restaurant content acquisition part 3211, data 3160 of image content 3150 regarding drinks and food matching the restaurant at this address or being offered at the restaurant, as well as voice content 3151 offered at the restaurant; next, in STEP5, a content data transmission part 3212 transmits them to the drinking glass, to be finally output to the image display part 3101 and voice output part 3102.

Third Embodiment of Drinking Dramatization System

Next, the third embodiment of the drinking dramatization system is explained; it should be noted, however, that locations constitutionally identical to those in the aforementioned embodiments are denoted with the same symbols and not explained.

This system is one using a drinking glass, as shown in FIG. 45, having an external image display device 356 in front of the user U, as well as a computer 3217. The computer 3217 has an image content generation part 3219 for generating a CG character image content 3165, as well as an image content output part 3220 for outputting the CG character image content 3165 to the external image display device 356, and when a sensor SD detects an operation of the drinking glass 301 by the user U while a drink is filled in the glass body 310, this operation detection signal 3164 will be transmitted to the computer 3217 so that image data of a character (CG character) having eyes and a mouth will be generated, as a CG character image content 3165, by the image content generation part 3219 and output to the external image display device 356 as a CG character image content 3165.

As described above, this system allows the user U to interact with the CG character. Also, this system can project, onto a projector, large display or other external image display device 356 before the very eyes of the user U, virtual CG character images utilizing sophisticated 3D computer graphics that are difficult to realize with the small computer in the mobile communication device 3100 stored in the drinking glass in terms of processing capability, and allow the facial expression, etc., of the CG character to be controlled according to the operation of the drinking glass by the user U.

Furthermore, because the computer 3217 is in charge of generating CG character images, the CPU of the computer in the drinking glass does not receive high loads when CG character images are generated, and accordingly the resulting rise in the drink temperature can be eliminated.

FIG. 46 shows a specific example of a processing flow. First, in STEP 1, the acceleration sensor 3105 is used, as the sensor SD in the mobile communication device 3100 in the glass body 310, to detect an operation of the drinking glass by the user U, such as causing it to hit other arbitrary object 358, tilting it, or other operation, while a drink is filled in the glass body 310, and this operation detection signal 3164 is transmitted to the external computer 3217. Next, in STEP 2, the operation detection signal 3164 is received by the operation detection signal acquisition part 3218, and next, in STEP 3, CG character image data is generated by the image content generation part 3219 using the value of the operation detection signal 3164. Next, in STEP4, this CG character image data, or specifically CG character image content 3165, is output to the external image display device 356, upon which the processing ends.

STEP 1 operates as an embedded part of the internal computer 3200, etc., in the mobile communication device 3100 operating in the glass body 310.

STEP 2 and STEP 3 operate as embedded parts of the computer 3217 external to this glass body 310.

FIG. 47 shows an example of a flowchart based on the following pattern: in the aforementioned processing flow, the operation of the drinking glass by the user U is assumed as an operation to cause the glass body 310 to hit other arbitrary object 358, and when an impact with such other arbitrary object generating in the glass body 310 is detected, this is recognized as an operation detection signal 3164 and an image of toasting action of a CG character will be generated by the image content generation part 3219 based on the operation detection signal 3164.

First, Value 3105 of the acceleration sensor 3105 is acquired, after which Value 3105 is analyzed and True is assigned to detected if an impact resulting from other arbitrary object 358 hitting the glass body 310 has been detected; otherwise, False is assigned to detected. Next, judgment is made as to whether detected is True or False, and only if True, it is determined that an operation of the glass body 310 has been detected and the processing proceeds to the next step, after which Value 3105 is assigned to detected signal 3164 as an operation detection signal 3164, and then this detected signal 3164, and detected, are transmitted to the computer 3217. Next, the computer 3217 receives detected signal 3164 and detected, and then makes judgment as to whether detected is True or False. And, only if True, it is determined that an operation of the glass body 310 has been detected and the processing proceeds to the next step, where detected signal 3164 is reflected to generate an image of “toasting action” of a CG character as a CG character image content 3165, and finally this CG character image content 3165 is output to the external image display device 356, upon which the processing ends.

It should be noted that the algorithm used for the aforementioned analysis of Value 3105 and detection of hitting based on an impact picked up by the acceleration sensor 3105, is conceivably, but not limited to, an algorithm, etc., that recognizes a detection and thus assigns True to detected when Value 3105 has exceeded a set threshold. Also, the algorithm for generating a CG character image content 3165 by reflecting detected signal 3164, or specifically the aforementioned operation detection signal 3164, is conceivably, but not limited to, an algorithm, etc., that generates a CG character image content 3165 by changing its facial expression according to the highness or lowness of detected signal 3164. Similarly, the aforementioned flowchart that includes variable names is only an example given for the purpose of explaining the system, and it may be embodied using other processing flows.

Next, FIG. 48 shows an example of a flowchart based on the following pattern: in the aforementioned processing flow, the operation of the drinking glass by the user U is assumed as an operation to tilt the drinking glass, and when a tilt is detected, this is recognized as an operation detection signal 3164, and a CG character image content 3165 reflecting this is generated by the image content generation part 3219.

First, Value 3105 of the acceleration sensor 3105 is acquired, after which Value 3105 is analyzed and True is assigned to detected if a tilt has been detected; otherwise, False is assigned to detected. Next, judgment is made as to whether detected is True or False, and only if True, it is determined that an operation of the drinking glass has been detected and the processing proceeds to the next step, after which Value 3105 is assigned to detected signal 3164 as the aforementioned operation detection signal 3164. Next, this detected signal 3164, and detected, are transmitted to the computer 3217, and then the computer 3217 acquires detected signal 3164 and detected. Next, judgment is made as to whether detected is True or False, and only if True, it is determined that an operation of this glass has been detected and the processing proceeds to the next step, where detected signal 3164 is reflected to generate a CG character image content 3165, and finally this CG character image content 3165 is output to the external image display device 356, upon which the processing ends.

Using this system, the user U can experience a toasting action with a CG character by hitting the drinking glass with an arbitrary object 58 or tilting the drinking glass.

INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a drinking glass, a toast dramatization system, a drinking dramatization system, a program, and a recording medium, all designed to let an individual enjoy oneself alone or together with others in remote locations, and also to present many different dramatizing effects, and therefore has industrial applicability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

-   -   A Communication line     -   1 Drinking glass     -   2 Drinking glass     -   3 Toast dramatization system     -   4 Toast dramatization system     -   5 Toast dramatization system     -   10 Glass body     -   11 Top opening     -   12 Transparent part     -   13 Handle     -   14 Lid     -   15 Groove     -   16 Operating space     -   17 Lid     -   18 Coaster     -   19 Spacer     -   20 Storage part     -   30 Waveguide     -   31 Metal     -   40 Acceleration sensor     -   41 Drive circuit     -   42 Power supply     -   43 Piezoelectric element     -   100 Mobile communication device     -   101 Display part     -   102 Cable     -   103 a Operation button     -   103 b Earphone     -   104 Cable     -   105 Operation part     -   106 Control part     -   107 Acceleration sensor     -   108 Camera     -   109 Speaker     -   110 Vibration device     -   200 Personal computer     -   201 Server     -   G GPS signal radio wave     -   U User     -   L Liquid (drinking water)     -   SD Sensor     -   301 Drinking glass     -   302 Drinking glass     -   310 Glass body     -   311 Top opening     -   312 Transparent part     -   313 Handle     -   314 Lid     -   315 Lid     -   316 Side opening     -   320 Storage part     -   330 Waveguide     -   331 guide space     -   332 Dielectric substance (air, etc.)     -   333 Conductive area     -   334 Metal layer (conductive area)     -   335 String sound reverberating space     -   336 String sound re-reverberating space     -   337 ID code label     -   340 User's hand (conductor)     -   341 Metal spoon (conductor)     -   350 Camera's range of capture     -   351 Object captured by camera     -   352 Fluid level in drinking glass     -   353 Re-reverberating sound     -   354 Image captured by camera     -   355 User's hand     -   356 External image display device     -   357 Projector screen     -   358 Arbitrary object     -   3100 Mobile communication device     -   3101 Image display part     -   3102 Speaker     -   3103 Microphone (sound sensor)     -   3104 Camera sensor     -   3105 Acceleration sensor     -   3106 GPS receiver     -   3110 Wireless communication part     -   3111 Antenna     -   3112 Radio-wave receiving power measurement part     -   3113 Sound data analysis part     -   3114 Frequency spectrum database part     -   3115 Frequency spectrum acquisition part     -   3116 Frequency spectrum analysis part     -   3117 Content acquisition part     -   3120 String that generates sound of specific frequency     -   3121 String that generates sound of specific frequency     -   3122 String that generates sound of specific frequency     -   3123 String that generates sound of specific frequency     -   3124 String that generates sound of specific frequency     -   3125 String that generates sound of specific frequency     -   3130 Oscillator     -   3150 Image content     -   3151 Voice content     -   3152 Data of camera-captured image     -   3153 Voice data     -   3154 Sensor signal     -   3155 Concurrent transmission command     -   3156 Content data for synchronization     -   3157 GPS signal     -   3158 GPS coordinates (longitude, latitude)     -   3159 Address data     -   3160 Restaurant content data     -   3164 Operation detection signal     -   3165 CG character image content     -   3200 Internal computer (control part)     -   3201 Personal computer     -   3202 Server computer     -   3204 GPS satellite     -   3206 Other mobile communication device     -   3207 Other mobile communication device     -   3208 Glass sensor signal detection part     -   3209 Content data concurrent transmission part     -   3210 Address acquisition part     -   3211 Restaurant content acquisition part     -   3212 Content data transmission part     -   3217 External computer     -   3218 Operation detection signal acquisition part     -   3219 Image content generation part     -   3220 Image content output part 

1. A drinking glass, characterized by comprising: a glass body being a bottomed cylinder having a top opening; a storage part extending from a side face or bottom part, toward an interior side, of the glass body and used for storing a mobile communication device; and a waveguide extending from a side face, toward an interior side, of the glass body and used for letting radio waves pass through to/from the mobile communication device; wherein the waveguide is such that, by being surrounded by a drink, it manifests a waveguide function of letting radio waves pass through an interior thereof.
 2. The drinking glass according to claim 1, characterized in that it has, in at least a part of the glass body, a transparent part having transparency, wherein a display part of the mobile communication device when being stored in the storage part can be viewed through the side face of the glass body via the transparent part.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The drinking glass according to claim 1, characterized by having a spacer to be inserted in the storage part.
 5. The drinking glass according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage part and the waveguide are spatially connected.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The drinking glass according to claim 1, characterized by having a lid for closing off the top opening.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. The drinking glass according to claim 1, characterized by having an acceleration sensor for measuring an acceleration at which the glass body moves.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The drinking glass according to claim 1, characterized by having a piezoelectric sensor on a side face of the glass body.
 14. The drinking glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: the mobile communication device comprises an image display part that displays images, a wireless communication part with an antenna, a voice output part that outputs voice, and a control part that controls driving thereof; the waveguide extends from a side opening formed in the side face of the glass body to near the wireless communication part for letting the radio waves pass through to/from the mobile communication device; a dielectric substance is filled in at least a part of an interior of the waveguide; and a transparent part is provided for allowing images displayed on the image display part to be viewed from an exterior.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The drinking glass according to claim 14, characterized in that a shape of the side opening is a polygon, and a length of a longest side, among sides constituting the polygon, is longer than one-half a wavelength of the radio waves.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled)
 23. The drinking glass according to claim 14, characterized by having a GPS signal reception part for receiving GPS signals.
 24. The drinking glass according to claim 14, characterized by having a sensor for detecting a state of the glass body or a state of surroundings of the glass body; wherein the control part receives detection signals transmitted by the sensor and transmits output signals to an exterior via the wireless communication part.
 25. (canceled)
 26. (canceled)
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. The drinking glass according to claim 14, characterized in that it has strings around the side opening, and when the strings vibrate, generated sounds reverberate inside the waveguide and sound waves of the reverberating sounds propagate to an air and/or liquid inside the glass body via the waveguide, thereby generating reverberating sounds also from an interior of the glass body.
 31. The drinking glass according to claim 30, characterized by having a sound data analysis part for performing frequency spectrum analysis of sounds generated by the strings through vibrations.
 32. (canceled)
 33. (canceled)
 34. A toast dramatization system comprising two or more drinking glasses according to claim 1, characterized in that sound and/or image will be played, when the drinking glasses contact each other, by the mobile communication devices stored in the drinking glasses that have made contact.
 35. The toast dramatization system according to claim 34, characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, a voice and/or image currently played by the mobile communication devices changes.
 36. The toast dramatization system according to claim 34, characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, the mobile communication devices vibrate.
 37. (canceled)
 38. The toast dramatization system according to claim 34, characterized in that, when the drinking glasses contact each other, a contact signal indicating contact is transmitted to an other drinking glass, via a communication line, from the drinking glasses that have made contact, so that a voice and/or image will also be played by the mobile communication device of the other drinking glass that has received the contact signal.
 39. (canceled)
 40. (canceled)
 41. (canceled)
 42. (canceled)
 43. (canceled)
 44. (canceled)
 45. The toast dramatization system according to claim 38, characterized in that the contact signal is transmitted to a server via a communication line, and the server records a number of times a contact signal has been received, as a number of toasts.
 46. (canceled)
 47. (canceled)
 48. (canceled)
 49. A drinking dramatization system characterized by having the drinking glass according to claim 24; wherein: an external computer, upon receiving the output signal, generates prescribed image data and transmits it to an external image display device; and the external image display device displays an image from the image data as image content.
 50. (canceled)
 51. The drinking dramatization system according to claim 49, characterized in that the image content relates to a character having at least eyes and a mouth, and a user can make a virtual toast with the character displayed on the external image display device.
 52. (canceled)
 53. (canceled)
 54. (canceled)
 55. (canceled)
 56. (canceled)
 57. (canceled) 